An inside look at Journey to Cabanatuan and the enduring legacy of the 6th Ranger Battalion: By Annie Nelson
A Legacy Worth Walking For
Some military operations transcend tactics and strategy. They live on as testaments to valor, brotherhood and sacrifice. One of those stories is the Raid at Cabanatuan—January 1945—when the 6th Ranger Battalion, supported by Filipino guerrillas and Alamo Scouts, rescued over 500 POWs in one of the greatest military operations in American history.
Eighty years later, a different kind of mission took place: a journey of remembrance.
Retired Command Sergeant Major Mike Burke—Army Ranger, veteran of multiple combat deployments and executive producer—helped lead Journey to Cabanatuan, a commemorative expedition and upcoming documentary that retraces the steps of that legendary raid.
I sat down with CSM Burke to talk about the journey, the power of legacy and why now is the time to tell this story.
“We Weren’t Just There to Film—We Were There to Honor”
Annie Nelson (AN): What sparked the idea for Journey to Cabanatuan?
Mike Burke (MB): It started with respect. This mission in 1945 wasn’t just a daring rescue—it was a moment that showed who we are as Rangers. When we realized the 80th anniversary was coming, we knew we had to do something meaningful. We pulled together a team—Rangers from the last 50 years, filmmakers and support staff—and set out to walk where our predecessors once did.
The Route, Revisited
The team’s itinerary was deeply symbolic: Clark Cemetery, the Bataan Death March route, Corregidor Island, and finally, the Cabanatuan POW camp. Along the way, they held memorials, connected with local communities and even trained alongside modern-day Alamo Scout Rangers—honoring a historic partnership that made the original rescue possible.
“Standing on that ground, where history was made—it’s humbling. It reminds you what you’re part of,” shared Burke.
“It Was a Rescue Against All Odds”
AN: For readers who may not know the full story—what happened at Cabanatuan in 1945?
MB: After the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, thousands of American and Filipino troops were captured. Many endured the Bataan Death March—over 60 miles of starvation and brutality. More than 500 ended up in the Cabanatuan POW camp. On January 30, 1945, the 6th Ranger Battalion, with help from local guerrillas and Alamo Scouts, launched a daring rescue. They brought those men home. It’s one of the finest operations in U.S. military history.
Bridging Generations
One of the most emotional moments of the trip came when Paul O’Connell, son of 1LT William O’Connell—the Ranger officer who led the breach team—joined the team in Cabanatuan.
“Paul didn’t know the full scope of his father’s heroism until after he passed. Being there, retracing those steps…you could see how much it meant to him. That’s the power of this journey—it connects generations. It brings history to life in a way textbooks can’t,” Burke shared.
Why It Matters Now
AN: Why is now the right time to tell this story?
MB: Rangers are quiet professionals. We don’t look for the spotlight. But as Paul said at our opening ceremony, “You might not want to tell your story—but others want to hear it.” That hit home for a lot of us. We’re not just making a film—we’re passing down a legacy of service, sacrifice and leadership that still defines today’s 75th Ranger Regiment.
Looking Ahead
Journey to Cabanatuan is more than a documentary. It’s a mission—to ensure the spirit of the 6th Ranger Battalion lives on for generations to come.
“This was sacred ground. We walked it not just for those who came before, but for those who will come after,” said Burke.
Journey to Cabanatuan: At a Glance
- Mission: Honor the 80th anniversary of the 1945 Cabanatuan Raid
- Team: Twenty-two Rangers from four generations, veterans, filmmakers and support staff
- Locations Visited: Clark Cemetery, Bataan Death March Route, Corregidor, Cabanatuan POW Camp
- Coming Soon: Retracing Heroism documentary film
About Mike Burke
Michael S. Burke is a retired Command Sergeant Major with over 24 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army—including 16 years in Special Operations and 14 combat deployments, the majority within the elite 75th Ranger Regiment.
Today, Burke continues his mission of service through leadership roles in both the nonprofit and private sectors. He serves as Executive Director of Legends of the 75th, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and professionally telling the history of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Through film, media and educational initiatives—including the Legends of the 75th podcast—Burke helps ensure that the stories of America’s most elite warriors are told with authenticity, reverence and reach.
In the civilian arena, Burke is the Senior Vice President of Operational Strategic Support at Main Street Auto, a fast-growing national network of automotive shops. Prior to that, he served as Chief of Staff at Northern Rock, guiding the company through a period of accelerated strategic growth.
Also known for his voice as a writer and speaker, Burke frequently shares insights on leadership, team development and organizational culture—drawing deeply from his experience in both combat zones and corporate boardrooms.
Whether in uniform, behind the camera or on the microphone, Burke remains committed to one thing: leading with purpose and preserving the stories that matter most.
He lives in Georgia with his wife, Sarah, and their four children—Hayden, Ayden, Keaton and Ashlyn.
Help Us Complete the Mission
The Journey to Cabanatuan documentary is more than a film—it’s a tribute to one of the most daring rescues in American military history and a bridge connecting past, present and future generations of warriors.
Set for release in 2026—81 years to the day after the legendary raid—this documentary will honor the legacy of the 6th Ranger Battalion and the courage of those who risked everything to bring their brothers home.
But we can’t complete this mission alone.
We’ve partnered with the Witness to War Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to ensure that every donation made is fully tax-deductible and directly supports the production, preservation and distribution of this powerful story.
Join Us
If you believe in honoring sacrifice. If you believe some stories must be told. If you believe history lives on only when we carry it forward. Be part of the mission. Help us bring Journey to Cabanatuan to life—for those who served, for those who remember and for those who will never forget.
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